Frequently Asked Questions  
Overview

Q. Is HOSTGA a booking agency?
A. No. We ask you to make direct contact with one of our members.

Q. How much does a guide cost?
A. See our Booking Conditions

Q. How is it best to pay HOSTGA Guides
A. For a one day tour, normally in cash or sterling travellers cheques. For more than one day, a deposit is often needed and if payment is being made with a cheque from overseas, there may be a charge for bank fees which can be considerable.

Q. Do I have to pay for a guide’s lunch and entry fees?
A. Normally not, but this should be agreed with the guide in advance.

Q: Are HOSTGA guides willing to pick up and drop off outside the Highlands?
A. Yes, in most cases. There is likely, however, to be an extra charge.
  Q. Are HOSTGA Guides covered by insurance.
A. Yes. Full Membership of HOSTGA provides Guides with 3rd Party Insurance. In the case of a coach tour this means for their work outside the coach. Generally they are covered by the Coach Operator’s insurance when inside. Guides who undertake walking or driver/guiding work should be appropriately insured under their own arrangements.

Q. Should I make bookings for visits to distilleries, castles etc.
A. This depends on the size of the group. A small (family) group can be handled without prior booking but anything bigger needs a booking. This is particularly the case with distilleries which get very full. Your guide can do the booking but give him/her plenty of warning.

Q. Is there someone who can fix an itinerary for us?
A. See our ‘Itinerary Planning’

Q. How do we book a cruise on Loch Ness?
A. We recommend Jacobite Cruises http://www.jacobite.co.uk/

Q. We just want to join a group to see some of the local sights?
A. One of our members, Sinclair Dunnett, specialises in this work: www.puffinexpress.co.uk

Q. We are looking for a B&B in the Highlands.
A. All of our guides can put you in touch with local B&Bs and one of our members,
Janet Honnor, welcomes guests herself: http://www.scotland-info.co.uk/westhill.htm

Q. Where can we get car hire?
A. One of our members, Alastair Cunningham, arranges car hire for visitors: www.clansandcastles.com

Q. What will the weather be like?
A. Unpredictable! For average temperatures and rainfall see http://www.albawest.com/weather.html#averages

Q. How much daylight will there be?
A. See http://www.albawest.com/weather.html#Daylight

Q. We want to get an idea of how long it takes to get from place to place.
A. See our distance & mileage chart at http://hostga.co.uk/demo/maps.htm

Q. Under which legal system do HOSTGA members operate?
A. The Scottish Legal system is the ruling system for bookings made with HOSTGA members. It is worth remembering that in Scotland a verbal commitment can act as a contract. It is however always better if there is an exchange of correspondence covering the details of the booking being made – covering not just the itinerary but also payment, cancellation fees etc.



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